Mr. Alexander(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is able to make a statement as to the Government's intentions with regard to food rationing?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonYes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have decided that it is desirable to take the necessary steps to enable the rationing of individual consumers to be put into operation. Instructions will accordingly be given to all Food Control Committees in the United Kingdom to issue the appropriate ration book for each individual consumer. There are, however, only two commodities, namely, bacon and butter, which the Government consider it necessary to ration, and even in the case of these two commodities it is not proposed to begin rationing before the middle of next month. The actual date will be announced later. During the interval each consumer will be asked to register with a retailer of his or her choice for bacon and for butter. Both the commodities which we propose to ration are perishable. Neither commodity was suitable for storage and consequently no Government reserve of either existed on the outbreak of hostilities. Later on, we expect supplies to increase, but, for the present, imports from European sources have been reduced and there has not been sufficient time to fill the gap from more distant sources of supply. The amount of the ration of these commodities will depend on the supply position from time to time. Provided that imports continue at the present rate, as there is good reason for assuming that they will, the ration for both bacon and butter will be four ounces per week for every individual consumer, that is, a pound of bacon and a pound of butter for a family of four persons.
1942 It is desirable that I should say a few words on sugar. The supplies in sight, both home-produced and imported are sufficient to meet normal requirements. Since the outbreak of war—and indeed for some weeks previous to 3rd September— purchases of sugar by consumers have been much above normal, even for this period of the year when considerable quantities of sugar are used in many homes for jam making and preserving fruit. In view of the tact that supplies are at present adequate, the Government does not desire to impose the rationing of sugar and, if each consumer restricted purchases to 1 lb. per head per week, there would be sufficient supplies for some months for every home as well as for manufacturers, hotels and restaurants without the need for rationing. In order that we may know the aggregate quantity required for distribution in each area, the Government will ask each consumer to register for sugar with a retailer, but it will not be necessary to use the coupons in the ration books. The ration books, which will shortly be distributed through the General Post Office were prepared and printed more than 12 months ago. Consequently, provision for all contingencies had to be made in them, and consumers will find that these books contain coupons for many foodstuffs which it is not necessary to ration now, that is, for meat, margarine, cooking fats and sugar. There are also some spare pages which could be utilised later on if circumstances should develop which rendered it necessary to add other foods to the rationing scheme.
There is no need now to impose rationing for any commodity other than bacon and butter. The manufacture of margarine has been greatly increased since the outbreak of war; the quantity of cooking fats available is equal to normal. In the case of meat, for which we are dependent upon imports for about one-half of our requirements, adequate supplies should continue to be available. During the last few weeks there has been some reduction in the volume of imported supplies available in certain districts. This has been due to additional allocations to the Fighting Services, coupled with the inevitable delay in the arrival of meat ships while the convoying of merchant shipping has been organised. The supplies in sight, however, for the future—home-produced 1943 and imported—are ample to meet all reasonable requirements both of the Services and of the civilian population. Meat rationing is, therefore, not considered necessary at present.
In the meantime, it is important not to waste food. Our war-time military requirements and those of our Allies necessarily make large demands upon our shipping. Therefore, I ask every householder and every housewife to make it a rule of the house not to waste food.
Mr. AlexanderAs this is a very important matter, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman two or three questions? First of all, is he aware that there will be very wide circles in this country intensely disappointed with his statement; is he aware that there are large areas in the country to-day where no more butter is available to some people than four ounces per household, that this commodity ought to have been rationed long ago, that I have crowds of complaints on this very question, giving factual evidence, and that, in the case of bacon, for weeks past no more than 20 per cent. of the normal supply of bacon has been available; and further, is he aware that during the last few weeks, in some areas, there has been very little sugar available per head and that in many areas there has been a very serious shortage in the meat supplies available, as for instance, in the town of Dover, where they were 7,000 lb. short in one business in one week?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe right hon. Gentleman has asked a number of questions. I am aware that the trading community would desire rationing to be extended. I am aware of the difficulties under which they have in some cases been labouring, and I am very grateful for their co-operation in what are difficult times; but I do not think that the general public will be disappointed with the statement I have made. I am aware that there have been shortages of bacon and butter in various districts, although I do not agree that, taking the country as a whole, the cases which the right hon. Gentleman mentioned are in any way typical.
§ Mr. MorrisonThere is a difference of opinion between us on that, and as regards these difficulties, I am confident 1944 that they will disappear when rationing is introduced. As to sugar, I am aware that there have been local difficulties and they have been largely caused, probably, by the very abundant fruit crop this year and the great changes in the population due to evacuation, both organised and voluntary; but I am confident that the supplies of sugar are adequate at the moment and that there is no need to impose rationing. I hope that the situation with regard to distribution will improve, especially after consumers register, so that we may know what the actual sugar requirements of each area are. As regards imported meat, for the reasons that I have stated I am aware that there have been local shortages, but reviewing the position as a whole I do not think there is any necessity to ration meat at all.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not the case that the complaints of maldistribution are really universal? While the right hon. Gentleman readily admitted, in reply to my right hon. Friend, that rationing alone will prevent an extension of this maldistribution, does he not think that rationing ought to be brought in at once? I would further ask, since there is no guarantee that maximum prices are being observed by retailers throughout the country, is it not safe to say that this maldistribution will continue in every country?
§ Mr. De ChairIs it not a fact that this rationing is necessitated only by the Government's persistent refusal in peace time to increase home-grown food production?
§ Mr. MorrisonIn reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), I think I covered a number of his points when I answered the right hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. Alexander). It is perfectly true that when rationing is introduced distribution can be more scientifically allocated. As to that I agree, and that is the reason why, when there is a shortage of bacon and butter at the moment—a temporary shortage, I hope—it is necessary to introduce rationing; but if there is no shortage of any commodity I do not think the public should be called upon to undergo rationing.
Mr. AlexanderIs it not clear that the right hon. Gentleman still intends not to have rationing for bacon or butter for five or six weeks?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have given the approximate date on which rationing will take place.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWill the Minister give consideration to the provision of more than four ounces of butter for 300,000 diabetics in this country?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir. I will gladly do what I can to make special provision for invalids and so on.
§ Mr. CocksIs it not a fact that large stocks of butter are held by certain traders in warehouses? Why have they not been requisitioned by the Government?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe requisition order applying to butter was limited in its application to stocks over a certain weight. It is true that some traders have accumulated stocks of butter under the prescribed weight, and that in the aggregate they reach a very considerable amount. But as far as butter that the Government have requisitioned is concerned, it has been impartially and equitably distributed among all trading concerns.
Mr. AlexanderIn view of the profoundly unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that the Opposition will ask for a day at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the whole question.